Potholes bring traffic on I-30 in Saline County to a slow crawl

SALINE COUNTY, Ark. – It’s been an all-day affair for drivers on Interstate 30 in Saline County, as potholes led to traffic moving at a snail’s pace.

I-30 is heavily traveled in general and often sees slow traffic because of construction.

Pothole mess left behind in Arkansas by thawed winter storm

On Wednesday morning emergency repairs on Interstate 30 in Saline County led to traffic moving at a crawl as a lane was closed to facilitate repairs to the potholes.

Devin Westgate travels I-30 to Hot Springs from Bryant to work every day.

It’s a familiar drive to him but seeing so many deflated cars on the side of the road, not so much.

“There were 21 cars on the side and the shoulder with blown-out tires,” Westgate said

In a 30-second video he recorded while driving to work, you can see 13 cars lined up.

Westgate describes driving on I-30 as “sketchy.”

From sunup to sundown on Wednesday, traffic was slow because of potholes caused by the recent winter weather.

“This morning there was a police car sitting there and if they wouldn’t have been sitting there, ain’t no telling how many more people would have hit a massive pothole,” Westgate said.

ARDOT reports pothole repair underway after winter storm crosses Arkansas

Westgate said it usually takes him about 40 minutes to get to work, but because of today’s pothole madness, an hour was added.

He’s glad his car didn’t face any damage, but he said in general, the bulk of his car troubles are caused by I-30.

“I know the potholes are because of weather but this is all the time,” he said.

The Arkansas Department of Transportation said they are working to make the repairs needed to get traffic back flowing quickly. They noted that because of the rain in the forecast, the process may take longer.

Multiple potholes, lane closure, has Arkansas interstate traffic crawling in Saline County

ARDOT said the winter storm has already cost from $8 million to $10 million in labor and materials.

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